The first tropical storm in nearly 84 years is bearing down on Southern California this weekend. Michael Brennan, director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, joined KNX to explain what the storm will bring.
“Three to six inches,” of rain are expected across much of California, with “isolated totals as much as 10 inches, which is as much rain as some places get in a whole year,” Brennan said.
He added that catastrophic flash flooding could occur in inland locations with typically dry, desert climates. These places include: Palm Springs, Riverside, Palmdale, San Bernardino and Twentynine Palms.
Saturday evening, the National Weather Service released maps detailing the expected flood risk in certain areas.
Los Angeles and Orange county leaders say they’re doing everything they can to prepare for the historic Hurricane Hilary. L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn told KNX News’ Mike Simpson and Vicky Moore that the county is “absolutely all hands on deck.”
“I have been talking to our director of emergency management. I’ve been talking to our fire chief. We are ready for this,” she said. “Our county departments, for the last 48 hours, have been meeting, and whether it's, parks or the fire department or the sheriff department, they are identifying what their roles will be in the event of a major catastrophe.”
As of Saturday morning, the National Weather Service said Hilary was a category 3 hurricane. It was expected to remain a hurricane as it approached the Baja California Peninsula and weaken to a tropical storm before reaching Southern California.
Hahn says the fire chief has told all personnel to know they can be called back as soon as Sunday in case of an emergency.
She also says the county is communicating with residents about the importance of staying off the roads Sunday and stocking up on emergency supplies, including food, water, and batteries.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said the county has increased staffing starting Saturday, including bulldozers, helicopters, and rescue units.
“We’re mostly coordinating this through all of our Orange County Fire Authority and our public works,” she said. “But of course, if things change, the [emergency operations] center can be opened on a dime.”
Foley said the county is worried about flooding as well as landslides. Sandbag staging areas are available at all county facilities and fire departments.
“What we're asking residents to do is, you know, get out and prepare your own home,” she said. “Make sure you don't have leaves in your gutters, make sure that you have sandbags, so water doesn't come into your home.”
Hahn and Foley both urged residents to sign up for emergency alerts to stay up-to-date as the storm develops.
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